Student nurse Denzel Darku granted permanent residency in the UK after ‘scandalous’ deportation threat

A STUDENT nurse living in Paisley has had the threat of deportation lifted after a review of his case.

Denzel Darku, originally from Ghana, has been granted permanent residency in the UK having moved to the country nine years ago to live with his father.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We have contacted Mr Darku’s legal representatives today to advise that, following reconsideration of his case, his application for permanent residence has been granted.”

The 23-year-old had faced a fight to stay in Scotland, with two appeals rejected.

Denzel Darku has been granted permanent residency & won’t be deported! Huge congrats to him & his lawyers. Now let’s have a humane #immigration policy https://t.co/GvCH9iVDKL

— Joanna Cherry QC MP (@joannaccherry) June 7, 2018

Mr Darku said that Home Office officials told him he had not been able to prove that he was dependant on his father, who is a European citizen, since turning 21.

Last week when his case was raised at First Minister’s Questions by Labour MSP Neil Bibby, Nicola Sturgeon said: “I’ve met Denzel in the past. He is a fine young man.

“He is an absolute credit to Scotland and it is outrageous, scandalous, a disgrace that he is threatened with deportation.

“We should be trying to attract more young people of his calibre to Scotland, not chasing them away.”

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said he was “sympathetic” to Mr Darku’s case earlier this week.

Mr Darku carried the Queen’s baton ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games and was also a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament during his time at school in Paisley.

All at SYP are delighted at today's news that former MSYP, Denzel Darku, has been granted permanent residency in the UK following a review. #SYPrights https://t.co/h5RXIt0K4h

— SYP (@OfficialSYP) June 7, 2018

After hearing the news that the threat of deportation had been lifted, Mr Bibby said: “I am delighted that Denzel Darku will not be deported and has been granted residency as this nightmare finally comes to an end.

“His life has been turned upside down for no reason and lessons must be learned by the Home Office in how they treat people in future.”

Mr Darku had dropped out of his nursing degree to focus on his fight to stay in the country.

“Thank you to everyone locally and nationally who has supported Denzel,” Mr Bibby added. “I hope he is now able to resume his nursing studies and continues to be a big part of our community in Paisley.”